Mangaluru: A life-changing accident became the turning point for a woman from Perabe in Kadaba of Dakshina Kannada district, and she transformed her struggle into a successful story through Crochet on Wheels.Following a major accident involving a car and a truck at Nelamangala while travelling from Mangaluru to Bengaluru in 2016, Poornima K suffered a severe spinal cord injury that left her bedridden for nearly a year. The long recovery, coupled with personal challenges, took an emotional toll, pushing her into depression.However, four years later, she found an unexpected path to healing through crochet.Poornima told TOI: “After the accident, I was completely shattered due to health and family issues. Physiotherapy slowly helped me recover physically, but crochet helped me heal mentally,” she said.Though she knew basic crochet, it was through online tutorials that she honed her skills. By 2021, she launched her initiative ‘Crochet on Wheels’.She began with simple wearables and gradually expanded into accessories such as earrings, coasters and children’s toys. It was her foray into amigurumi, the Japanese art of crocheting small stuffed figures, that brought her recognition. “I realised amigurumi had great demand. My 14-inch figurines of Lord Krishna and Lord Ram became instant hits,” she said.Today, Poornima’s creations range from divine dolls to sweaters and children’s wear, with customers not only from the coastal region, but also from outside. She takes about 50 hours to complete sweaters for adults. “Gifting items and wearables enjoy a steady local market. Encouraged by the response, I have also begun conducting basic online crochet classes. What started as a coping mechanism has now become a source of livelihood and empowerment,” she said. She was honoured with Havyaka Shri Award at a function held in Bengaluru recently.
